Air cleaner

ABSTRACT

An air flow controller for an air cleaner and an air cleaner are provided. The air flow controller may include a fan, and a housing, the fan being provided in the housing and the housing being movable from an initial horizontal position in which the air flow controller directs air flow in a vertical direction to an inclined position in which the air flow controller directs air flow in a diagonal direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a Continuation Application of prior U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/363,587 filed Nov. 29, 2016, which claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. 119 and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2016-0077888 filed in Korea on Jun. 22, 2016, No.10-2016-0023663 filed in Korea on Feb. 26, 2016, and No. 10-2016-0139376filed in Korea on Oct. 25, 2016, which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

An air cleaner is disclosed herein.

2. Background

An air cleaner is a device that suctions in and purifies contaminatedair and then discharges purified air. For example, the air cleaner mayinclude a blower that introduces outside air into the air cleaner and afilter capable of filtering dust and bacteria, for example.

Generally, the air cleaner is configured to purify an indoor space, suchas a home or an office. According to the air cleaner in the related art,there is a problem that a capacity thereof is limited, and thus,purification of air in an entire indoor space is limited. Accordingly,air around the air cleaner is purified whereas air in a space away fromthe air cleaner is not purified.

In order to solve this problem, there are efforts to improve aperformance of a fan provided in the air cleaner. However, noisegenerated by the fan gradually increases as a blowing amount of the fanincreases. Accordingly, there is a problem is that reliability of theproduct is decreased. Finally, there is inconvenience that the aircleaner has to be moved by a user in order to purify air in the desiredspace.

A related art air cleaner is disclosed in Korean Publication No.KR10-2012-0071992 published on Jul. 3, 2012 and entitled AIR CLEANER,which is hereby incorporated by reference. According to this disclosure,air cleaning components, such as the fan and a filter are installed, inan inside of a case having a substantially rectangular parallelepipedshape of a main body of the air cleaner. Air suction ports are formed ona side portion and a lower portion of the main body of the air cleanerand an air discharge port is formed on an upper portion of the main bodythereof.

According to this configuration, there is a problem in that a suctioncapacity is reduced as the contaminated air is suctioned from a limiteddirection, that is, from a side direction and a lower direction relativeto the air cleaner. A corner portion of the case having a rectangularparallelepiped shape provides structural resistance interfering with thesuction of air.

In addition, there is a problem that an air cleaning function is limitedas purified air does not flow to a space away from the air cleaner,whereas air around the air cleaner is purified. That is, the air whichis purified in the air cleaner is discharged in only one direction, thatis, only in an upward direction. Further, there is a problem that ablowing capacity is limited as only one blowing fan is provided in themain body of the air cleaner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the followingdrawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air cleaner according to anembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an internal configuration ofthe air cleaner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line III-III′ in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a second blowing device of theair cleaner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a third air guideand a second discharge guide of the air cleaner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an air flow control device anda component to which the air flow control device is coupled of the aircleaner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the air flow control device of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a state in which the third air guide andthe second discharge guide of FIG. 5 are coupled to each other;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a state in which a first guide acts toperform rotation in a lateral direction of the air flow control deviceaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the air flow control device according toan embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the air flow control deviceaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a drive portion and a fixingportion of the air flow control device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a state in which a second rack and asecond gear, which are provided in the air flow control device, areinterlocked with each other according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are views illustrating a state in which the air flowcontrol device is located at a second position according to anembodiment;

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating a state in which the air flow controldevice of FIG. 14 is rotated in direction A;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a display device which iscoupled to a discharge grill according to an embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating a state in which a printed circuit board(PCB) assembly is coupled to the discharge grill according to anembodiment;

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the PCB assembly of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a view of an upper surface of a display device according toan embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a view of a lower surface of the PCB assembly according to anembodiment; and

FIGS. 22 to 24 are views illustrating a state in which air flows in theair cleaner of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference tothe illustrative drawings. Regarding the reference numerals assigned tothe components in the drawings, it should be noted that the samecomponents may be designated by the same reference numerals, whereverpossible, even though they are shown in different drawings. Also, in thedescription of embodiments, specific description of known relatedconfiguration or functions may be omitted when it is deemed that suchdescription may cause ambiguous interpretation of the present invention.

Also, in the description of embodiments, terms such as first, second, A,B, (a), (b) or the like may be used herein when describing components.Each of these terminologies is not used to define an essence, order orsequence of a corresponding component but used merely to distinguish thecorresponding component from other component(s). In a case where it isdescribed that any component is “connected” or “coupled” to anothercomponent, the component may be directly or indirectly connected orcoupled to another component. However, it is to be understood thatanother component may be “connected” or “coupled” between thecomponents.

Also, in the description of embodiments, terms such as first, second, A,B, (a), (b) or the like may be used herein when describing components.Each of these terminologies is not used to define an essence, order orsequence of a corresponding component but used merely to distinguish thecorresponding component from other component(s). In a case where it isdescribed that any component is “connected” or “coupled” to anothercomponent, the component may be directly or indirectly connected orcoupled to another component. However, it is to be understood thatanother component may be “connected” or “coupled” between thecomponents.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air cleaner according to anembodiment. With reference to FIG. 1, the air cleaner 10 according tothis embodiment may include blowing devices or blowers 100 and 200 thatgenerate air flow and a flow adjusting device or adjuster 300 thatadjusts a discharge direction of the air flow generated in the blowingdevices 100 and 200. The blowing devices 100 and 200 may include a firstblowing device 100 that generates a first air flow and a second blowingdevice 200 that generates a second air flow.

The first blowing device 100 and the second blowing device 200 may beprovided in a vertical direction. For example, the second blowing device200 may be provided on or at an upper side of the first blowing device100. In this case, the first air flow is a flow of indoor air suctionedfrom a lower side of the air cleaner 10 and the second air flow is aflow of indoor air suctioned from an upper side of the air cleaner 10.

The air cleaner 10 may include cases 101 and 201 that form an outerappearance thereof. That is, the cases 101 and 201 may include a firstcase 101 that forms an outer appearance of the first blowing device 100.The first case 101 may have a cylindrical shape. An upper portion of thefirst case 101 may have a diameter which is less than a diameter of alower portion thereof. That is, the first case 101 may have a truncatedcone shape.

The first blowing device 100 and the second blowing device 200 may bereferred to as a “first air cleaning module or cleaner 100” and a“second air cleaning module or cleaner 200”, respectively, in that thefirst blowing device 100 and the second blowing device 200 perform afunction of cleaning air in a space to be cleaned. The first blowingdevice 100 may be referred to as a “lower air cleaning module orcleaner” or “lower module or cleaner” in that the first blowing device100 is provided at a lower portion of the air cleaner 10 and the secondblowing device 200 may be referred to as an “upper air cleaning moduleor cleaner” or “upper module or cleaner” in that the second blowingdevice 200 is provided at an upper portion of the air cleaner 10. Theflow adjusting device 300 may be referred to as “flow adjusting moduleor adjuster 300” or “flow control module 300”.

The first case 101 may include a first separation portion 101 a at whichtwo parts which constitute the first case 101 may be assembled ordisassembled. The first case 101 may further include a hinge portion orhinge which is provided on an opposite of the first separation portion101 a. The two parts may be capable of being relatively rotated aboutthe hinge portion.

When at least any one part of the two parts rotates, the first case 101may be opened and separated from the air cleaner 10. A locking device orlock may be provided at a portion at which the two parts are coupled,that is, a side opposite to the hinge portion. The locking device mayinclude a locking projection or a magnet member or magnet. Components ofthe first blowing device 100 may be replaced or repaired by opening thefirst case 101.

The first case 101 may include a first suction portion or inlet 102through which air may be suctioned in a radial direction. The firstsuction portion 102 may include one or more through hole formed to passthrough at least a portion of the first case 101. A plurality of firstsuction portions 102 may be provided.

The plurality of first suction portions 102 may be evenly provided in acircumferential direction along an outer circumferential surface of thefirst case 101 so that air suction may be performed in any directionrelative to the first case 101. That is, air may be suctioned in 360degree directions relative to a center line that extends in the verticaldirection and passes through an inside center of the first case 101.

Accordingly, a suction amount of air may be increased by the first case101 having a cylindrical shape and the plurality of first suctionportions 102 formed along the outer circumferential surface of the firstcase 101. Flow resistance to suctioned air may be reduced by avoiding acube shape having edges or edge portions such as the case of the relatedart air cleaner.

Air which is suctioned in through the first suction portion 102 may flowsubstantially in the radial direction from the outer circumferentialsurface of the first case 101. Directions may be defined as follows.Referring to the FIG. 1, the vertical direction may refer to an axialdirection and a transverse direction may refer to the radial direction.The axial direction may correspond to a central axis direction of thefirst fan 160 and the second fan 260, which are described hereinafter,that is, a motor shaft direction of the fan. The radial direction mayrefer to a direction which is perpendicular to the axial direction. Thecircumferential direction may refer to a virtual circle direction whichis formed when rotating about the axial direction and having a distanceof the radial direction as a rotational radius.

The first blowing device 100 may include a base 20 provided at a lowerside of the first case 101 and placed on the ground. The base 20 may bepositioned spaced apart from a lower end portion or end of the firstcase 101 in a downward direction. A base suction portion or inlet 103may be formed in a space between the first case 101 and the base 20.

Air which is suctioned in through the base suction portion 103 may flowin an upward direction through a suction port 112 of a suction grill 110(see FIG. 2), which may be provided in or at an upper side of the base20. That is, the first blowing device 100 may include the plurality ofsuction portions 102 and the base suction portion 103. Air in a lowerportion of the indoor space may be easily introduced to the firstblowing device 100 through the plurality of suction portions 102 and thebase suction portion 103. Accordingly, the suction amount of air may beincreased.

A first discharge portion or outlet 105 may be formed at an upperportion of the first blowing device 100. The first discharge portion 105may be formed on a first discharge grill 195 of a first discharge guidedevice or guide 190 (see, FIG. 8) which may be provided in the firstblowing device 100. The first discharge guide 190 may form an outerappearance of an upper end portion or end of the first blowing device100. Air discharged through the first discharge portion 105 may flow tothe upper side in the axial direction.

The cases 101 and 201 may include a second case 201 which may form anouter appearance of the second blowing device 200. The second case 201may have a cylindrical shape. An upper portion of the second case 201may have a diameter which is less than a diameter of a lower portionthereof. That is, the second case 201 may have a truncated cone shape.

The second case 201 may include two parts and a hinge portion or hingewhich are capable of being assembled or being disassembled through asecond separation portion 201 a. The second case 201 may be openablesimilar to the first case 101. The second case 201 may be the same orsimilar to the first case 101, and thus, repetitive disclosure has beenomitted. Inner components of the second blowing device 200 may bereplaced or repaired by opening the second case 201.

A diameter of a lower end portion of the second case 201 may be lessthan a diameter of the upper end portion or end of the first case 101.Accordingly, in a general shape of the cases 101 and 201, a lowercross-sectional area of the cases 101 and 102 may be formed to begreater than an upper cross-sectional area. Accordingly, the air cleaner10 may be stably supported on the ground.

The second case 201 may include a second suction portion or inlet 202through which air may be suctioned in the radial direction. The secondsuction portion 202 may include one or more through hole formed to passthrough at least a portion of the second case 201. A plurality of thesecond suction portion 202 may be provided.

The plurality of second suction portions 202 may be evenly provided inthe circumferential direction along an outer circumferential surface ofthe second case 201 so that air suction may be performed in anydirection relative to the second case 201. That is, air may be suctionedin 360 degree directions relative to a center line that extends in thevertical direction and passes through an inside center of the secondcase 201.

Accordingly, a suction amount of air may be increased by the second case201 having a cylindrical shape and the plurality of second suctionportions 202 formed along the outer circumferential surface of thesecond case 201. Flow resistance to suctioned air may be reduced byavoiding a cube shape having an edge portions such as the case of therelated are air cleaner. Air which is suctioned in through the secondsuction portion 202 may flow substantially in the radial direction fromthe outer circumferential surface of the second case 201.

The air cleaner 10 may include a dividing device or divider 400 providedbetween the first blowing device 100 and the second blowing device 200.By the dividing device 400, the second blowing device 200 may bepositioned at the upper side of the first blowing device 100 spacedapart therefrom. The dividing device 400 will be described hereinafter,with reference to the drawings.

The flow adjusting device 300 may be provided at an upper side of thesecond blowing device 100. An air flow path of the second blowing device100 may communicate with an air flow path of the flow adjusting device300. The air passing through the second blowing device 100 may bedischarged through a second discharge portion or outlet 305 to theoutside via the air flow path of the flow adjusting device 300. Thesecond discharge portion 305 may be provided on or at an upper endportion of the flow adjusting device 300.

The flow adjusting device 300 may be movable. That is, the flowadjusting device 300 may be movable between a laid-out state (firstposition), as illustrated in FIG. 1, or an inclined erected state(second position), as illustrated in FIG. 18. In addition, a displaydevice or display 600 that displays operation information of the aircleaner may be provided at an upper portion of the flow adjusting device300. The display device 600 may be movable together with the flowadjusting device 300.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the air cleaner of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is across-sectional view, taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a base 20 and a suction grill 110, which maybe disposed or provided on or at an upper side of the base 20 may beincluded in the first blowing device 100 according to this embodiment.The base 20 may include a base main body 21, which may be placed on theground, and a base projecting portion or projection 22 that projectsfrom the base main body 21 in the upward direction and on which thesuction grill 110 may be placed. The base projecting portion 22 may beprovided at both sides of the base 20.

The base main body 21 and the suction grill 110 may be spaced apart fromeach other by the base projecting portion 22. The base suction portion103 which forms a suction space of air may be included between the base20 and the suction grill 110.

The suction grill 110 may include a grill main body 111 having asubstantially ring shape and a rim portion or rim 110 that protrudesfrom an outer circumferential surface of the grill main body 111 in theupward direction. By the configuration of the grill main body 111 andthe rim portion 111 a, the suction grill 110 may have a steppedstructure.

The suction grill 110 may include a suction portion or inlet 112 formedon the rim portion 111 a. The suction portion 112 may protrude along acircumference of the rim portion 111 a in the upward direction andextend in a circumferential direction. In addition, a plurality ofsuction holes 112 a may be formed in the suction portion 112. Theplurality of suction holes 112 a may communicate with the base suctionportion 103.

Air suctioned in through the plurality of suction holes 112 a and thebase suction portion 103 may pass through a first filter member orfilter 120. The first filter may have a cylindrical shape and a filtersurface that filters air. The air passing through the plurality ofsuction holes 112 a may be introduced to an inside portion of the firstfilter 120 by passing through an outer circumferential surface of thecylindrical first filter 120.

The first blowing device 100 may further include a first filter frame130, which may form a mounting space of the first filter 120. That is,the first filter frame 130 may include a first frame 131 which forms alower portion of the first filter frame 130 and a second frame 132 whichforms an upper portion of the first filter frame 130.

The first filter frame 130 may further include a first filter supportingportion or support 135 that extends from the first frame 131 to thesecond frame 132 in the upward direction. The first frame 131 and thesecond frame 132 may be spaced apart from each other by the first filtersupporting portion 135. A plurality of first filter supporting portions135 may be provided and the plurality of the first filter supportingportions 135 may be arranged in the circumferential direction, and thus,may be connected to rim portions or rims of the first frame 131 and thesecond frame 132. A mounting space of the first filter 120 is defined bythe plurality of first filter supporting portions 135 and the firstframe 131 and the second frame 132. In addition, a first supportingportion cover 136 may be coupled to an outside of the first filtersupporting portion 135.

A sensor device or sensor 137 may be installed or provided in or on thefirst filter frame 130. The sensor device 137 may include a dust sensorthat senses an amount of dust in the air and a gas sensor that senses anamount of gas in the air. The dust sensor and the gas sensor may bedisposed or provided to be supported by the second frame 132 of thefirst filter frame 130.

The first filter 120 may be detachably mounted in the mounting space.The first filter 120 may have a cylindrical shape and air may beintroduced through the outer circumferential surface of the first filter120. Impurities, such as fine dust in air, may be filtered in a processof passing through the first filter 120.

The air may be introduced from any direction relative to the firstfilter 120, by the first filter 120 having the cylindrical shape.Accordingly, a filtering area of air may be increased.

The mounting space may have a cylindrical shape corresponding to theshape of the first filter 120. The first filter 120 may be slidablyintroduced toward the mounting space in a mounting process. In contrast,the first filter 120 may be slidably withdrawn from the mounting spacein a separating process.

The first blowing device 100 may further include a first fan housing150, which may be installed or provided on or at an outlet side of thefirst filter 120. A housing space portion or space 152, in which a firstfan 160 may be accommodated, may be formed in the first fan housing 150.In addition, the first fan housing 150 may be supported by the firstfilter frame 130.

A first fan introducing portion 151 that guides introduction of air toan inside of the first fan housing 150 may be included in a lowerportion of the first fan housing 150, A grill may be provided in or onthe first fan introducing portion 151 to prevent, for example, a fingerof a user from being put into the inside of the first fan housing 150when the first filter 150 is separated.

The first blowing device 100 may further include an ionizer 158 thatremoves or sterilizes smell particles in the air. The ionizer 158 may becoupled to the first fan housing 150 and be capable of acting on the airwhich flows inside of the first fan housing 150.

The sensor device 137 and the ionizer 158 may also be installed orprovided in a second blowing device 200 described hereinafter. Forexample, the sensor device 137 and the ionizer 158 may be installed orprovided in one of the first blowing device 100 or the second blowingdevice 200.

The first fan 160 may be located on or at an the upper side of the firstfan introducing portion 151. For example, the first fan 160 may includea centrifugal fan that introduces air in the axial direction and thendischarges air to the upper side in the radial direction.

The first fan 160 may include a hub 161 to which a rotational shaft 165a of a first fan motor 165, which may be a centrifugal fan motor, may becoupled, a shroud 162 which may be disposed or provided in a state ofbeing spaced apart from the hub 161, and a plurality of blades 163,which may be disposed or provided between the hub 161 and the shroud162. The first fan motor 165 may be coupled to the upper side of thefirst fan 160.

The hub 161 may have a bowl shape, a diameter of which may be graduallyreduced in the downward direction. The hub 161 may include a shaftcoupling portion to which the rotational shaft 165 a may be coupled anda first blade coupling portion that extends at an incline from the shaftcoupling portion in the upward direction.

The shroud 162 may include a lower end portion or end, on or at which ashroud suction port, into which air having passed through the first fanintroducing portion 151 may be suctioned, may be formed and a secondblade coupling portion that extends from the lower end portion in theupward direction.

A first surface of each blade 163 may be coupled to the first bladecoupling portion of the hub 161 and a second surface thereof may becoupled to the second blade coupling portion of the shroud 162. Theplurality of blades 163 may be disposed or provided spaced apart in acircumferential direction of the hub 161.

The first blowing device 100 may further include a first air guidedevice or guide 170 that guides a flow of air being passed through thefirst fan 160 by being coupled to an upper side of the first fan 160.

The first air guide 170 may include an outer wall 171 having acylindrical shape and an inner wall 172 positioned on or at an inside ofthe outer wall 171 and having a cylindrical shape. The outer wall 171may be disposed or provided to surround the inner wall 172. A first airflow path 172 a, through which air may flow may include circumferentialsurface of the outer wall 171 and an outer circumferential surface ofthe inner wall 172.

The first air guide 170 may include a guide rib 175 which may bedisposed or provided on or in the first air flow path 172 a. The guiderib 175 may extend from the outer circumferential surface of the innerwall 172 to the inner circumferential surface of the outer wall 171. Aplurality of guide ribs 175 may be disposed or provided spaced apartfrom each other. The plurality of guide ribs 175 may guide the airintroduced to the first air flow path 172 a of the first air guide 170via the first fan 160 in the upward direction.

The guide rib 175 may extend at an incline from a lower portion of theouter wall 171 and the inner wall 172 in the upward direction. Forexample, the guide rib 175 may be rounded, and thus, guide air so thatit flows at an incline in the upward direction.

The first air guide 170 may further include a motor accommodatingportion 173 that extends from the inner wall 172 to the lower side, andthus, accommodates the first fan motor 165. The motor accommodatingportion 173 may have a bowl shape, a diameter of which may be graduallyreduced in the downward direction. A motor coupling portion 166 may beprovided on or at one side of the first fan motor 165 to fix the firstfan motor 165 to the first air guide 170. A shape of the motoraccommodating portion 173 may correspond to the shape of the hub 161.The motor accommodating portion 173 may be inserted into the hub 161.

The first fan motor 165 may be supported to or at an upper side of themotor accommodating portion 173. The rotational shaft 165 a of the firstfan motor 165 may extend from the first fan motor 165 in the downwarddirection and be coupled to the shaft coupling portion 161 a of the hub161 through the lower surface portion of the motor accommodating portion173.

The first blowing device 100 according to this embodiment may furtherinclude a second air guide device or guide 180 which may be coupled toan upper side of the air guide 170 and guide air having passed throughthe first air guide 170 to the discharge guide 190.

The second air guide 180 may include a first guide wall 181, which mayhave a substantially cylindrical shape, and a second guide wall 182,which may be positioned at an inside of the first guide wall 181 andhave a substantially cylindrical shape. The first guide wall 181 may bedisposed or provided to surround the second guide wall 182.

A second air flow path 185, through which air may flow, may be formedbetween an inner circumferential surface of the first guide wall 181 andan outer circumferential surface of the second guide wall 182. Air whichflows along the first air flow path 172 a of the first air guide 170 mayflow in the upward direction through the second air flow path 185. Thesecond air flow path 185 may be referred to as a “discharge flow path.”In addition, the first discharge portion 105 may be provided on or at anupper side of the second air flow path 185.

A space portion or space, in which at least a portion of a printedcircuit board (PCB) device 500 may be accommodated by passingtherethrough in the vertical direction may be formed inside of thesecond guide wall 182 having a cylindrical shape. The PCB device 500 mayinclude a power supply portion or power supply 520 and a main PCB 511.

The power supply portion 520 may refer to a device that receivescommercial power supplied from a power line connected to the air cleaner10 to supply power to the main PCB 511 and a plurality of components inthe air cleaner 10. The power supply 520 may include a PCB (power PCB)for AC power. The main PCB 511 may include a PCB for DC power, which maybe driven by a DC voltage converted in the PCB for AC power.

The PCB device 500 may further include a PCB supporting plate 525 thatsupports the power supply portion 520 and the main PCB 511. The main PCB511 may be supported on one or a first surface of the PCB supportingplate 525, and the power supply portion 520 may be supported on theother or a second surface of the PCB supporting plate 525.

The PCB device 500 may include a communication module 515 through whichthe air cleaner 10 is capable of communicating with an external device.For example, the communication module 515 may include a Wi-Fi module.The communication module 515 may be supported on the PCB supportingplate 525, and may be disposed or provided at a lower side of the mainPCB 511.

The first blowing device 100 may further include a first discharge guidedevice or guide 190, which may be disposed or provided on or at an upperside of the second air guide 180, that is, an outlet side of air flowpassing through the second air guide 180 relative to the air flow andguide the air discharge to outside of the air cleaner 10. A firstdischarge portion 105, through which air may be discharged, may beformed in the first discharge guide 190.

The second blowing device 200 may include a second filter member orfilter 220, a supporting device or support 240 that supports a lowerportion of the second filter 220, and a lever device or lever 242provided on or at a lower side of the supporting device 240 to supportthe second filter 220 and the supporting device 240 (see FIG. 4).

The second blowing device 200 may further include a lever supportingdevice or support 210 that supports the second filter 220 or the leverdevice of the second blowing device 200. The lever supporting device 560may have a substantially annular shape. The lever supporting device 560may include a space portion or space which defines an installation spaceportion or space, in which the PCB device 500 may be located. The spaceportion may be formed at a substantially center portion of the leversupporting device 560 by passing through the lever supporting device 560in the vertical direction.

A dividing device 400 may be provided between the first blowing device100 and the second blowing device 200. The dividing device 400 mayinclude a dividing plate 430 that separates or blocks air flow generatedin the first blowing device 100 and air flow generated in the secondblowing device 200. By the dividing plate 430, the first and secondblowing devices 100 and 200 may be spaced apart from each other in thevertical direction.

That is, a separation space in which the dividing plate 430 may belocated or provided may be formed between the first and second blowingdevices 100 and 200. The first discharge guide 190 of the first blowingdevice 100 may be located at a lower end portion or end of theseparation space, and the lever supporting device 510 of the secondblowing device 200 may be located at an upper end portion or end of theseparation space.

The separation space may be divided into an upper space and a lowerspace by the dividing plate 430. The lower space may be a first spaceportion or space through which air discharged from the first dischargeportion 105 of the first discharge guide 190 may pass in a process inwhich the air flows to the outside of the air cleaner 10. The upperspace may be a second space portion or space that functions as agrasping space into which a user may put his or her hand when moving theair cleaner 10.

Air discharged from the first discharge portion 105 may be guided by thedividing plate 430 to flow to the outside of the air cleaner 10.Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the air from being introducedinto the second blowing device 200.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the second blowing device ofthe air conditioner of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 4, the second blowingdevice 200 according to this embodiment may include the lever supportingdevice 560, a lever device 242, the supporting device or support 240,the second filter 220, the second filter frame 230, a second fan housing250, and a second fan 260.

The second filter 220 may have a cylindrical shape having an open upperportion. The second filter 220 may include a filter main body 221, whichmay have a cylindrical filter portion an inside of which is empty, and afilter hole 222, which may be opened at an upper end portion or end ofthe filter main body 221. A filter grasping portion or grasp 221 a maybe provided at an upper or lower portion of the filter main body 221.Air may be introduced to the inside of the filter main body 221 throughan outer circumferential surface of the filter main body 221, and may bedischarged from the second filter 220 through the filter hole 222. Thesecond filter 220 may be the same as or similar to the first filter 120,and thus, repetitive disclosure has been omitted.

The lever supporting device 560 may include a lever supporting main body561 having an annular shape. The lever supporting main body 561 mayextend at a slight incline in the upward direction with respect to theaxial direction toward an outer circumferential surface from an innercircumferential surface thereof. That is, a surface which forms thelever supporting main body 561 may be an inclined surface. A spacebetween the inclined surface and an upper surface of the dividing plate430 may provide a space portion or space 458 in which a user's hand maybe located. The lever supporting main body 561 may be referred to as a“blocking portion” in that air discharged through the first dischargeportion 105 of the first blowing device 100 may be blocked from beingintroduced to the second blowing device 200.

The lever supporting device 560 may further include a movement guideportion or guide 565, which may protrude from the lever supporting mainbody 561 in the upward direction. A plurality of movement guides 565 maybe spaced apart from one another in a circumferential direction of thelever supporting main body 561. In addition, the lever supporting device560 may further include a supporting projection 566 that protrudes inthe upward direction from an inner circumferential surface of the leversupporting main body 561. The supporting projection 566 may support thelever device 242 of the second blowing device 200.

The lever device 242 may be operable by a user. For example, the leverdevice 242 may be rotatable in the circumferential direction. The leverdevice 242 may include a lever main body 243, which may have asubstantially ring shape and be rotatable. In addition, a plurality ofcut-out portions or cut-outs 245, which may be disposed or provided atpositions corresponding to the plurality of movement guides 565, may beformed in the lever main body 243.

The plurality of cut-out portions 245 may be spaced apart from oneanother, and arranged in the circumferential direction of the lever mainbody 243. In addition, each of the plurality of cut-out portions 245 maybe rounded with a predetermined curvature in the circumferentialdirection, corresponding to a curvature of the outer circumferentialsurface of the lever main body 243.

The lever device 142 may be supported on an upper surface of the leversupporting main body 561. If the lever device 242 is supported by thelever supporting main body 561, the plurality of movement guides 565 maybe inserted into the plurality of cut-out portions 245. That is, theplurality of movement guides 565 may protrude to the upper side of theplurality of cut-out portions 245 by passing through the plurality ofcut-out portions 245.

A length of each of the plurality of cut-out portions 245 may be longerthan a length of the movement guide 565. Thus, the lever device 242 mayrotate in a state in which the movement guide 565 is inserted into thecut-out portion 245. In addition, one end portion or end of the movementguide 565 may interfere with one end portion or end of the cut-outportion 245 in a process in which the lever device 242 rotates in one ora first direction, and the other end portion or end of the movementguide 565 may be interfere with the other end portion or end of thecut-out portion 245. A second handle 244 may be provided on an outercircumferential surface of the lever main body 243.

The supporting device 240, which supports the second filter 220, may beprovided on or at an upper side of the lever device 242. The supportingdevice 240 may include a first handle 241 which may be coupled to thesecond handle 244. A user may rotate the lever main body 143 and thesupporting device 140 in a clockwise direction or in a counterclockwisedirection by grasping the first and second handles 241 and 244. Thelever device 242 may support a lower surface of the supporting device240. The supporting device 240 may include a support projecting portionor projection (not shown), which may be in contact with the movementguide 565. The support projecting portion may protrude in the downwarddirection from a lower surface of the supporting device 240, and may beprovided at a position corresponding to the movement guide 565. Inaddition, a shape of the support projecting portion may correspond to ashape of the movement guide 565, and include an inclined surface thatgradually protrudes in the circumferential direction. In addition, adirection in which the movement guide 565 gradually protrudes and adirection in which the support projecting portion gradually protrudesmay be opposite to each other.

For example, if the direction in which the movement guide 565 protrudesis the counterclockwise direction, the direction in which the supportprojecting portion protrudes may be the clockwise direction. The supportprojecting portion may be disposed or provided at a positioncorresponding to the cut-out portion 245. That is, the movement guide565 and the support projecting portion may be disposed or provided at aposition at which they are inserted into the cut-out portion 245.

The lever device 242 and the supporting device 240 may rotate together.In the rotation process, the movement guide 565 and the supportprojecting portion may interfere with each other. That is, if a lowerportion of the support projecting portion and an upper portion of themovement guide 565 are in contact with each other, the lever device 242and the supporting device 240 may be lifted in the upward direction. Inaddition, the second filter 220 supported by the supporting device 240may be in a state in which the second filter 220 is coupled to thesecond blowing device 200 while moving in the upward direction.

On the other hand, if the lower portion of the support projectingportion and the upper portion of the movement guide 565 are in contactwith each other or if the inference between the support projectingportion and the movement guide 565 is released, the lever device 242 andthe supporting device 240 may move downward. In addition, the secondfilter 220 supported by the supporting device 240 may be in a state(released state) in which the second filter 220 is separable from thesecond blowing device 200.

The second blowing device 200 may include a second filter frame 230,which may form a mounting space for the second filter 220. That is, thesecond filter frame 230 may include a first frame 231, which may form alower portion of the second filter frame 230, and a second frame 232,which may form an upper portion of the second filter frame 230.

The first frame 231 may include a frame depression portion or depression231 a having a downwardly depressed shape. The frame depression portion231 a may be configured such that at least a portion of the first frame231 is depressed. The frame depression portion 231 a may provide a spaceportion or space, in which the first and second handles 241 and 244 maybe movable. The first and second handles 241 and 244 may be located inthe space portion, to rotate in the clockwise direction or in thecounterclockwise direction.

The second frame 232 may be spaced apart from the first frame 231 in theupward direction. The second frame 232 may have a substantially ringshape. The ring-shaped inside portion space of the second frame 232 mayform at least a portion of an air flow path passing through the secondfilter frame 230. In addition, an upper portion of the second frame 232may support the second fan housing 250.

The second filter frame 230 may further include a second filtersupporting portion or support 235 that extends from the first frame 231to the second frame 232 in the upward direction. The first frame 231 andthe second frame 232 may be spaced apart from each other by the secondfilter supporting portion 235. A plurality of second filter supportingportions 235 may be provided, and the plurality of the first secondsupporting portions 235 may be arranged in the circumferentialdirection, and thus, may be connected to rim portions or rims of thefirst frame 231 and the second frame 232.

A mounting space for the second filter 220 may be defined by the firstand second frames 231 and 232 and the plurality of second filtersupporting portions 235. In addition, a first supporting portion cover236 may be coupled to an outside of the second filter supporting portion235.

A sensor device 237 may be installed or provided in or on the secondfilter frame 230. The sensor device 237 may include a dust sensor 237 athat senses an amount of dust in the air and a gas sensor 237 b thatsenses an amount of gas in the air. The dust sensor 237 a and the gassensor 237 b may be supported by the second frame 232 of the secondfilter frame 230. The sensor device 237 may include a sensor cover 237 cthat covers the dust sensor 237 a and the gas sensor 237 b.

The second filter 220 may be detachably mounted on or in the mountingspace. The second filter 220 may have a cylindrical shape and air may beintroduced through an outer circumferential surface of the second filter220. Impurities, such as fine dust in air, may be filtered in a processof passing through the second filter 220.

The air may be introduced from any direction relative to the secondfilter 220, by the second filter 220 having the cylindrical shape.Accordingly, a filtering area of air may be increased. The mountingspace may have a cylindrical shape corresponding to the shape of thesecond filter 220. The second filter 220 may be slidably introducedtoward the mounting space in a mounting process. In contrast, the secondfilter 220 may be slidably withdrawn from the mounting space in aseparating process.

On the other hand, the second filter 220 may be slid toward the mountingspace to the inside in the radial direction in a state of beingseparated from the mounting space, supported on the upper surface of thesupporting device 240, and thus, may be moved into close contactupwardly by an operation of the first and second handles 241 and 244. Atthis time, the second filter 220 may be in a coupling position.

The second blowing device 200 may include a second fan housing 250,which may be installed or provided on or at an outlet side of the secondfilter 220. A housing space portion or space 252, in which the secondfan 260 may be accommodated, may be formed in the second fan housing250. The second fan housing 250 and the second fan 260 may be the sameor similar to the first fan housing 150 and the first fan 160, andtherefore, repetitive disclosure has been omitted.

The second blowing device 200 may include an ionizer 258 that removes orsterilizes smell particles in the air. The ionizer 258 may be coupled tothe second fan housing 250 and may act on the air which flows inside ofthe second fan housing 250. The ionizer 258 may be the same as orsimilar to the ionizer of the first blowing device 100, and therefore,repetitive disclosure has been omitted.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a third air guideand a second discharge guide of the air cleaner of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is anexploded perspective view of an air flow control device and a componentto which the air flow control device is coupled of the air cleaner ofFIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the air flow control device ofFIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a state in which the third airguide and the second discharge guide of FIG. 5 are coupled to eachother. FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a state in which a first guide actsto perform rotation in a lateral direction of the air flow controldevice according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sectional view of theair flow control device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 10, the second blowing device 200 may include athird air guide device or guide 270 that guides a flow of air havingpassed through the second fan 260 by being coupled to an upper side ofthe second fan 260. The third air guide 270 may include an outer wall271 that forms an outer circumferential surface of the third air guide270 and an inner wall 272 positioned inside of the outer wall 271 andhaving a cylindrical shape. A first air flow path 272 a, through whichair may flow, may be formed between an inner circumferential surface ofthe outer wall 271 and an outer circumferential surface of the innerwall 272.

The third air guide 270 may include a guide rib 275 which may bedisposed or provided on or in the first air flow path 272 a. The guiderib 275 may extend from the outer circumferential surface of the innerwall 272 to the inner circumferential surface of the outer wall 271.

The third air guide 270 may include a motor accommodating portion 273that extends from the inner wall 272 in the downward direction, andthus, accommodates the second fan motor 265. The motor accommodatingportion 273 may have a bowl shape a diameter of which may be graduallyreduced toward a lower side thereof.

The second fan motor 265 may be coupled to the upper side of the secondfan 260, and thus, provide a drive force to the second fan 260. A motorcoupling portion 266 may be provided on or at one side of the second fanmotor 265, and the motor coupling portion 266 may fix the second fanmotor 265 to the third air guide 270.

The third air guide 270 may include guide devices or guides 276 and 277that guide a movement of the flow adjusting device 300. The guides 276and 277 may include a first rack 276 and a shaft guide groove 277, whichmay be included in the motor accommodating portion 273.

The first rack 276 may be linked to the first gear 360 of the flowadjusting device 300. The first rack 276 may be provided on or at aninner circumferential surface of the motor accommodating portion 273 andmay be provided along a set predetermined curvature in thecircumferential direction. A length of the first rack 276 may be alength which is set based on a distance linked to the first gear 360.

The flow adjusting device 300 may be rotated in the lateral direction,that is, in the clockwise direction or in the counterclockwisedirection. In this process, the first gear 360 may be rotated along apredetermined rotating radius about a rotational shaft 354 of the flowadjusting device 300.

The shaft guide groove 277 may be a groove that guides rotation of thefirst gear 260 and may extend rounded with a predetermined curvature.For example, the shaft guide groove 277 may be rounded in thecircumferential direction. That is, the shaft guide groove 277 may havean arc shape.

The first gear shaft 362 of the first gear 360 may be inserted into theshaft guide groove 277. In a process of rotation of the first gear 360,the first gear shaft 360 may be moved along the shaft guide groove 277.

The second blowing device 200 may include a second discharge guide 280,which may be installed on or at an upper side of the third air guide 270and guide a flow of air which passed through the third air guide 270.The second discharge guide 280 may have a substantially annular shape aninside portion of which may be empty. That is, the second dischargeguide 280 may include a discharge outer wall 281, which may form anouter circumferential surface of the second discharge guide 280 and havea cylindrical shape, and a discharge inner wall 282 which may form aninner circumferential surface of the second discharge guide 280 and havea cylindrical shape.

The discharge outer wall 281 may surround the discharge inner wall 282.A second air flow path 282 a, that is, a discharge flow path along whichair passing through the third air guide 270 may flow, may be formedbetween an inner circumferential surface of the discharge outer wall 281and an outer circumferential surface of the discharge inner wall 282.The discharge flow path may be positioned on or at an upper side of thefirst air flow path 272 a, in which the guide rib 275 may be provided.

The second discharge guide 280 may include a second discharge grill 288,which may be disposed or provided on or in the discharge flow path 282a. The second discharge grill 288 may extend from the outercircumferential surface of the discharge inner wall 282 to the innercircumferential surface of the discharge outer wall 281.

The second discharge guide 280 may further include a rotation guideplate 283, which may be coupled to the discharge inner wall 282. Therotation guide plate 283 may extend from the inner circumferentialsurface of the discharge inner wall 282 toward an inside center of thesecond discharge guide 280.

The rotation guide plate 283 may include a shaft inserting portion 284,which may provide a rotational center in the lateral direction of theflow adjusting device 300. The rotational shaft 354 may be inserted intothe shaft inserting portion 284. The shaft inserting portion 284 may bepositioned in the inside central portion of the second discharge guide280. The rotation guide plate 283 may be a supporting plate thatsupports the shaft inserting portion 284.

A bearing groove 285 may be further included in the rotation guide plate283. A first bearing 353, which may be provided on the flow adjustingdevice 300, may be inserted into the bearing groove 285. The bearinggroove 285 may guide movement of the first bearing 353 and extend to berounded with a predetermined curvature. For example, the bearing groove285 may be rounded in the circumferential direction. That is, thebearing groove 285 may have an arc shape. In a process of rotation ofthe flow adjusting device 300 in the lateral direction, the firstbearing 353 may be moved by inserted into the bearing groove 285, andthus, allows a friction force which is generated in the process ofrotation of the flow adjusting device 300 to be reduced.

The flow adjusting device 300 may include a third fan housing 310, inwhich a third fan 330 may be accommodated. The third fan housing 310 mayhave a substantially annular shape. For convenience of description, thefirst fan 160 and the second fan 260 may be referred to as a “blowingfan,” and the third fan 330 may be referred to as a “circulation fan.”That is, the first fan 160 and the second fan 260 may be referred to asa “main fan,” and the third fan 330 may be referred to as a “sub-fan.”

The third fan housing 310 may include a housing cover 312, which mayform an outer appearance thereof. A housing main body 311, which mayhave an annular shape, may be provided inside of the housing cover 312.That is, the housing cover 312 may be coupled to an outercircumferential surface of the housing main body 311, and may besupported by the housing main body 311.

The housing main body 311 may include a cover supporting portion orsupport 311 a, which may protrude from an outer circumferential surfaceof the housing main body 311 to support an inside of the housing cover312. The cover supporting portion 311 a may have a bent shape, and anouter surface of the cover supporting portion 311 a may be coupled to aninner surface of the housing cover 312.

The housing cover 312 may surround the housing main body 311, and thehousing main body 311 and the housing cover 312 may be rotated or movedtogether. The third fan 330 may be accommodated inside of the housingmain body 311. In addition, a housing flow path 314, through which airmay flow as the third fan 330 is driven, may be formed inside of thehousing main body 311. A blade 333 of the third fan 330 may be locatedin the housing flow path 314. By rotation of the blade 333, air may flowin the upward direction via the housing flow path 314. The housing flowpath 314 may extend from a space in which the blade 333 is located to anupper space of the blade 333.

A discharge grill 315, which may form the second discharge portion 305through which air passing through the third fan 330 may be discharged,may be provided on or at an upper side of the third fan housing 310.That is, referring to FIG. 17, the discharge grill 315 may include agrill outer wall 316, a grill inner wall 317 provided at an inside ofthe grill outer wall 316, and a plurality of grill portions 315 a, whichmay extend from the grill outer wall 316 to the grill inner wall 317.Spaces between the plurality of grill portions 315 a may form the seconddischarge portion 305.

As the second discharge portion 305 along with the first dischargeportion 105 of the first blowing device 100 is provided in the aircleaner 10, a discharge amount of air may be improved, and air may bedischarged in various directions.

Each of the grill outer wall 316 and the grill inner wall 317 may have acylindrical shape, and the grill outer wall 316 may surround the grillinner wall 317. In addition, the second discharge portion 305 may beformed on or at an upper side of the housing flow path 314. Thus, airhaving passed through the housing flow path 314 may be dischargedoutside of the air cleaner 10 via the second discharge portion 305 ofthe discharge grill 315.

The discharge grill 315 may further include a depression portion ordepression 318 which may have a shape depressed at a substantiallycenter portion of the discharge grill 315 and support the display device600. The depression portion 318 may be provided in or at a lower endportion or end of the grill inner wall 317.

A supporting rib 318 a that supports a display PCB 610 of the displaydevice 600 may be provided in the depression portion 318. The supportingrib 318 a may protrude in the upward direction from an upper surface ofthe depression portion 318. The grill inner wall 317 may support a lowerside of the display PCB 610.

The display device 600 may include a PCB assembly 601. The PCB assembly601 may include the display PCB 610, on which an illumination source maybe provided, a reflector 620, which may be coupled to an upper side ofthe display PCB 610 and concentrate light irradiated from theillumination source in the upward direction such that displayedinformation may be displayed as various characters, numbers, or symbols,and a diffusing plate 630, which may be supported on the discharge grill315 and guide light irradiated from the illumination source to berefracted and then face an upper surface of the display device 600, thatis, a rim portion or rim 650 of a display screen 602.

An axial flow fan may be included in the third fan 330. That is, thethird fan 330 may be operated in order to axially discharge air which isaxially introduced. That is, the air which flows toward the third fan330 in the upward direction via the second fan 260, the first air flowpath 272 a of the third air guide 270, and the discharge flow path 282 aof the second discharge guide 280 may be discharged from the third fan330, and thus, may be discharged to the outside through the seconddischarge portion 305, which may be positioned on the upper side of thethird fan 330.

The third fan 330 may include a hub 331 having a shaft coupling portionto which a rotational shaft 336 of the third fan motor 335, which may bean axial flow motor, may be coupled, and a plurality of blades 333,which may be coupled to the hub 331 in the circumferential direction.The third fan motor 335 may be coupled to a lower side of the third fan330 and may be disposed or provided inside of the third motor housing337.

The first fan motor 165 and the second fan motor 265 may be disposed orprovided in series relative to a longitudinal direction of the aircleaner 10. The second fan motor 265 and the third fan motor 335 may bedisposed or provided in series relative to a longitudinal direction ofthe air cleaner 10. In summary, rotational shafts of the first fan motor165, the second fan motor 265, and the third fan motor 335, or the firstfan 160, the second fan 260, and the third fan 330 may be positioned ona same axis in the longitudinal direction.

The flow adjusting device 300 may include a flow guide portion or guide320, which may be coupled to a lower side of the third fan housing 310,and thus, guide the air passing by the second discharge guide 280 to thethird fan housing 310. The flow guide 320 may include an introductiongrill 325 that guides the air introduction to the third fan housing 310.The introduction grill 325 may have a concave shape in the downwarddirection.

A shape of the second discharge grill 288 of the second discharge guide280 may be formed in a concave shape in the downward directioncorresponding to a shape of the introduction grill 325. The introductiongrill 325 may be seated on an upper side of the second discharge grill288. By this configuration, the introduction grill 325 may be stablysupported by the second discharge grill 288.

The flow adjusting device 300 may further include a rotation guidedevice or guide 350, which may be installed or provided on or at a lowerside of the flow guide 320, and thus, may guide rotation in the lateraldirection and rotation in the vertical direction of the flow adjustingdevice 300. The rotation in the lateral direction may be referred to asa “first direction rotation” and the rotation in the vertical directionmay be referred to as a “second direction rotation.”

The rotation guide 350 may include a guide main body 351, which may becoupled to the movement guide 320. The guide main body 351 may include alower surface portion 351 a, at which the first and second guides may beinstalled or provided, and a rim portion or rim 351 b, which may beprovided on or at a rim of the lower surface portion 351 a and protrudein the downward direction.

The rotation guide 350 may include a first guide mechanism or guide thatguides the first direction rotation of the flow adjusting device 300,and a second guide mechanism or guide that guides the second directionrotation of the flow adjusting device 300. The first guide mechanism mayinclude a first gear motor 363 that generates a drive force, and a firstgear 360 rotatably coupled to the first gear motor 363. For example, thefirst gear motor 363 may include a step motor, a rotational angle ofwhich may be easily controlled.

The first gear 360 may be coupled to a motor shaft 363 a of the firstgear motor 363. The first guide may further include a first gear shaft362 that extends in the downward direction, that is, toward the thirdair guide 270 or the second discharge guide 280 from the first gear 360.The first gear 360 may be geared to the first rack 276 of the third airguide 270. A plurality of gear teeth may be formed in the first gear 360and the first rack 276. When the first gear motor 363 is driven, thefirst gear 360 may rotate, and thus, link to the first rack 276. Thethird air guide device 270 may be fixed, and thus, the first gear 360may be movable.

The shaft guide groove 277 of the third air guide 270 may guide movementof the first gear 360. That is, the first gear shaft 362 may be insertedinto the shaft guide groove 277. The first gear shaft 362 may be movedin the circumferential direction along the shaft guide groove 277 in arotation process of the first gear 360.

The first guide may include the rotational shaft 354, which may form arotational center of the flow adjusting device 300. The first gear 360and the first gear shaft 362 may be rotated along a rotating radius,which may be set about the rotational shaft 354. The set rotating radiusmay be referred to as a “first rotating radius.”

The first rack 276 and the shaft guide groove 277 may have a lengthcorresponding to a rotational amount or rotational angle of the flowadjusting device 300. A length in the circumferential direction of thefirst rack 276 and the shaft guide groove 277 may be formed slightlygreater than a distance in the circumferential direction which the flowadjusting device 300 rotates. Accordingly, in a process of movement ofthe first gear 360, the first gear 360 may be prevented from beingseparated from the first rack 276. In addition, in a process of movementof the first gear shaft 362, the first gear shaft 362 may be preventedfrom interfering with the end portion of the shaft guide groove 277.

The rotational shaft 354 may be provided on a lower surface portion 351a of the guide main body 351. That is, the rotational shaft 354 mayprotrude in the downward direction from the lower surface portion 351 a.The rotational shaft 354 may be inserted or provided in a shaftinsertion portion 284 of the second discharge guide 280, and may berotated in the shaft insertion portion 284. That is, when the first gear360 rotates, the first gear shaft 362 and the first gear 360 may rotateabout the rotational shaft 354 in the circumferential direction. Therotational shaft 354 may rotate in the shaft inserting portion 284.Accordingly, the flow adjusting device 300 may be rotated in a firstdirection, that is, in the clockwise direction or in thecounterclockwise direction about the longitudinal direction as the axialdirection.

The first guide may include bearings 353, and 355 that easily rotate theflow adjusting device 300 in the first direction. The bearings 353, 355may reduce a friction force generated in the rotational process of theflow adjusting device 300. The bearings 353 and 355 include a firstbearing 353 provided on a lower surface of the rotational guide 350. Forexample, the first bearing 353 may include a ball bearing.

In addition, the first guide may include a bearing supporting portion orsupport 354 that protrudes in the downward direction from the lowersurface portion 351 a to support the first bearing 353. The bearingsupporting portion 354 may be formed a set or predetermined length, toguide the first bearing 353 to be disposed at a position at which thefirst bearing 353 is capable of being in contact with the rotationalguide plate 283.

The rotational guide plate 283 may include a bearing groove 285, intowhich the first bearing 353 may be inserted. In a process of rotation ofthe flow adjusting device 300 in the first direction, the first bearing353 may be movable with the first bearing being inserted into thebearing groove 285. The first bearing 353 may be rotated along arotating radius which is set about the rotational shaft 354. That is,the set rotating radius may be referred to as a “second rotatingradius”. The second rotating radius may be formed to be less than thefirst rotating radius. That is, a distance from the rotational shaft 354to the first bearing 353 may be shorter than a distance from therotational shaft 354 to the first gear shaft 352. According to thisconfiguration, the lower surface portion 351 a may be rotated by beingstably supported by the third air guide 270 and the second dischargeguide 280.

When the first gear shaft 362 is moved along the shaft guide groove 277,the first bearing 353 may be moved along the bearing groove 285. Inorder to allow the first gear shaft 362 and the first bearing 353 to besmoothly moved, a set curvature of the shaft guide groove 277 and a setcurvature of the bearing groove 285 may be equal to each other.

The bearings 353 and 355 may include a second bearing 355. The secondbearing 355 may be rotatably installed or provided at the rim portion351 b. A bearing insertion portion 351 c, to which the second bearing355 may be coupled, may be formed at the rim portion 351 b. The bearinginsertion portion 351 c may be depressed in the upward direction from alower surface of the rim portion 351 b. In addition, a plurality ofsecond bearing 355 may be provided. The second bearing 355 may be incontact with the discharge inner wall 282 of the second discharge guide280, that is, the inner circumferential surface of the discharge innerwall 282 may form a contacting surface of the second bearing 355. Theflow adjusting device 300 may be easily rotated in the first directionby the second bearing 355 rotating about the rotational shaft 354 alongthe inner circumferential surface of the discharge inner wall 282.

The first direction rotation of the flow adjusting device 300 will bebriefly described with reference to FIG. 9. If the first gear motor 363is operated, the first gear 360 may be rotated. When viewed from a top,the first gear motor 363 may be rotated in the clockwise direction orthe counterclockwise direction. Accordingly, the first gear 360 may berotated in the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction.

For example, if the first gear motor 363 is rotated in the clockwisedirection, the first gear 360 and the first gear shaft 362 may be movedin the counterclockwise direction along the shaft guide groove 277. Onthe other hand, if the first gear motor 363 is rotated in thecounterclockwise direction, the first gear 360 and the first gear shaft362 may be moved in the clockwise direction along the shaft guide groove277.

As the first gear 360 is moved in the clockwise direction or in thecounterclockwise direction, the flow adjusting device 300 may be rotatedin a same direction as a movement direction of the first gear 360. Inthis process, the first bearing 353 may be moved along the bearinggroove 285, and the second bearing 355 may be moved along the innercircumferential surface of the discharge inner wall 282. Accordingly,the flow adjusting device 300 may be stably rotated along a set flowpath in the lateral direction.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the flow adjusting deviceaccording to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of adrive portion and a fixing portion of the flow adjusting deviceaccording to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a state inwhich a second rack and a second gear, which are provided in the flowadjusting device, are interlocked with each other according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 7, 11, and 12, the flow adjusting device 300according to an embodiment may include a second guide mechanism or guidethat guides rotation in the vertical direction of the flow adjustingdevice 300. The second guide may include a fixing guide member or guide352, which may be fixed to the guide main body 351. The rotational shaft354 may be provided in a lower surface of the fixing guide 352.

The fixing guide 352 may support a lower side of the rotation guide 370,and include a first guide surface 352 a, which may guide the seconddirection rotation of the rotation guide 370. The first guide surface352 a may form at least a portion of an upper surface of the fixingguide 352, and may extend rounded in the upward direction, correspondingto a rotational path of the rotation guide 370.

The fixing guide 352 may further include a first guide bearing 359,which may reduce a friction force generated at a time of rotatingmovement of the rotation guide 370 by being in contact with the rotationguide 370. The first guide bearing 359 may be positioned to or at a sideof the first guide surface 352 a.

The fixed guide 352 may further include a second gear inserting portion352 b, into which the second gear 365 may be inserted for rotation ofthe rotation guide 370. The second gear inserting portion 352 b may beformed on or at one side of the first guide surface 352 a. For example,the second gear inserting portion 352 b may have a shape at least aportion of the first guide surface 352 a being cut. The second gear 365may be positioned to or at a lower side of the first guide surface 352 aand at least a portion of the second gear 365 may project to an upperside of the second gear inserting portion 352 b through the second gearinserting portion 352 b.

The second guide may include a second gear motor 367, which may becoupled to the second gear 365 and provide a drive force. For example,the second gear motor 367 may include a step motor. The second guide mayinclude a second gear shaft 366 that extends from the second gear motor367 to the second gear 365. When the second gear motor 367 is driven,the second gear shaft 366 and the second gear 365 may be rotatedtogether.

The second guide may further include a rotation guide 370, which may beprovided on or at an upper side of the fixing guide 352. The rotationguide 370 may be coupled to a lower side of flow guide 320.

That is, the rotation guide 370 may include a main body portion or body371, which may be supported by the fixing guide 352. The main bodyportion 371 may include a second guide surface 372, which may move alongthe first guide surface 352 a. The second guide surface 372 may berounded corresponding to a curvature of the first guide surface 352 a.

The rotation guide 370 may further include a second guide bearing 375,which may reduce a friction force generated at a time of rotatingmovement of the rotation guide 370 by being in contact with the fixingguide 352. The second guide bearing 375 may be positioned on or at aside of the second guide surface 372.

The rotation guiding 370 may include a second rack 374 linked to thesecond gear 365. A plurality of gear teeth may be formed in the secondgear 365 and the second rack 374, and the second gear 365 and the secondrack 374 may be geared to each other through the plurality of gearteeth.

If the second gear motor 367 is driven, the rotation guide 370 rotatesin the vertical direction by linkage of the second gear 365 and thesecond rack 374. Accordingly, the flow adjusting device 300 may performthe second direction rotation according to the movement of the rotationguide 370.

The second direction rotation of the flow adjusting device 300 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 13.

If the second gear motor 367 is operated, the second gear 365 may berotated. The second gear motor 367 may be rotated in the clockwisedirection or in the counterclockwise direction relative to the radialdirection. Accordingly, the second gear 365 may be rotated in theclockwise direction or in the counterclockwise direction.

For example, if the second gear motor 367 is rotated in the clockwisedirection, the second gear 365 may be rotated in the clockwisedirection, and the second rack 374 rotated in the counterclockwisedirection by linkage with the second gear 365. As the second rack 374 isrotated, the rotation guide 370 and the flow guide 320 may be rotatedtogether. Finally, the fan housing 310 may be rotated in thecounterclockwise direction.

On the other hand, if the second gear motor 367 is rotated in thecounterclockwise direction, the second gear 365 may be rotated in thecounterclockwise direction, and the second rack 374 rotated in theclockwise direction by linkage with the second gear 365. As the secondrack 374 is rotated, the rotation guide 370 and the flow guide 320 maybe rotated together. Finally, the fan housing 310 may be rotated in theclockwise direction. Accordingly, the flow adjusting device 300 may bestably rotated along a set path in the vertical direction.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are views illustrating a state in which the flowadjusting device is located at a second position according to anembodiment. FIG. 16 is a view illustrating a state in which the flowadjusting device of FIG. 14 is rotated in direction A.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a state in which the flow adjusting device300 protrudes to the upper side of the second discharge guide 280, thatis, a state (second position) in which the fan housing 310 is inclinedin the upward direction as the rotation guide 370 is rotated in theupward direction. As the flow adjusting device 300 is vertically rotatedin a direction “B” shown in FIG. 14, the flow adjusting device 300 maybe moved to the first position (see FIG. 1) or the second position. Whenthe flow adjusting device 300 is located at the first position, theintroduction grill 325 is disposed on the upper surface of the seconddischarge grill 288. On the other hand, when the flow adjusting device300 is located at the second position, the introduction grill 325 isspaced apart from the upper surface of the second discharge grill 288 inthe upward direction.

The third fan 330 may be selectively operated based on whether the flowadjusting device 300 is located at the first position or the secondposition. That is, referring to FIG. 23, the first and second fans 160and 260 may be rotated to generate air flow in the state in which theflow adjusting device 300 is located at the first position. Air suctionand discharging (first flow) at a lower portion of the air cleaner 10may be generated by operation of the first fan 160. In addition, airsuction and discharging (second flow) at an upper portion of the aircleaner 10 may be generated by the operation of the second fan 260. Thefirst flow and the second flow may be separated from each other by thedividing device 400.

In addition, the third fan 330 may be selectively operated. If the thirdfan 330 is operated, the second flow may be more strongly generated.That is, a strong discharge air current at the upper portion of the aircleaner 10 may be generated by the second fan 260 and the third fan 330,and may be discharged through the second discharge portion 305. Thethird fan 330 may not be operated.

In the state in which the flow adjusting device 300 is located at thesecond position, the first and second fans 160 and 260 may be rotated togenerate the first flow and the second flow. In addition, the third fan330 may be operated. The second position is a position in which theairflow control device 300 is inclined by a set or predetermined anglein the upward direction, relative to the first position of the flowadjusting device 300. For example, the set or predetermined angle may beabout 60 degrees.

That is, referring to FIG. 24, by the operation of the third fan 330, atleast a portion of air which is discharged through the second dischargeguide 280 may be introduced to the inside of the third fan housing 310,and may be discharged from the second discharge portion 305 via thethird fan 330. Accordingly, purified air may reach a position distantfrom the air cleaner 10.

In the state in which the flow adjusting device 300 is located at thesecond position, the flow adjusting device 300 may be rotated in thelateral direction, relative to the side direction. FIG. 14 illustrates astate in which the flow adjusting device 300 is located to face in onedirection (left direction relative to FIG. 14) in the state in which theflow adjusting device 30 is located at the second position. The onedirection may be a direction which faces at 45 degrees to a left orfirst side, relative to the front of the air cleaner 10.

The flow adjusting device 300 may be located to face in anotherdirection in the state in which the flow adjusting device 300 is locatedat the second position. The other direction may be a face which faces at45 degrees to a right or second side, relative to the front of the aircleaner 10. That is, the rotation angle of the flow adjusting device 300may be about 90 degrees.

As described above, the flow adjusting device 300 may be rotated in thelateral direction relative to the axial direction, and thus, dischargeair current may be blown a long distance in various directions, relativeto the air cleaner 10.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the display device which iscoupled to the discharge grill according to an embodiment. FIG. 18 is aview illustrating a state in which a PCB assembly is coupled to thedischarge grill according to an embodiment. FIG. 19 is an explodedperspective view of the PCB assembly of FIG. 18. FIG. 20 is a view of anupper surface of a display device according to an embodiment. FIG. 21 isa view of a lower surface of the PCB assembly according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 17 to 21, the display device 600 according to thisembodiment may be installed or provided at an upper portion of the aircleaner 10. The display screen 602 of the display device 600 may form atleast a portion of the upper surface of the air cleaner 10.

The display device 600 may be installed or provided in or on thedischarge grill 315. The depression portion 318, which may be adepressed in the downward direction may be provided at a substantiallycenter portion of the discharge grill 315, and the plurality of grillportions 315 a may extend toward the outside in the radial directionfrom the depression portion 318. In addition, the display device 600 maybe disposed or provided on or at an upper side of the depression portion318.

The display device 600 may include the PCB assembly 601. The PCBassembly 601 may include the display PCB 610 on which a plurality ofillumination sources 651 and 655 may be provided, and a reflector 620,which may be coupled to an upper side of the display PCB 610 to allowlight irradiated from the plurality of illumination sources 651 to beconcentrated toward the display screen 602.

The plurality of illumination sources 651 and 655 may include a firstillumination source 651 that displays operation information of the aircleaner 10 and a second illumination source 655 that displays a rimportion or rim of the display screen 602 of the display device 600. Thedisplay screen 602 may be a set or predetermined area (hereinafter,referred to as a “display area”) in which the information may bedisplayed, and may be formed on an upper surface of the display device600. In addition, the rim or portion of the display screen 602 may forma boundary of the display area.

The display PCB 610 may include a board main body 611, which may have asubstantially circular shape. The board main body 611 may include a mainbody front surface portion or surface 611 a, on which the firstillumination source 651 may be installed or provided, and a main bodyrear surface portion or surface 611 b, on which the second illuminationsource 655 may be installed or provided.

A plurality of first illumination sources 651 may be provided on themain body front surface portion 611 a, corresponding to a shape of adisplayed content. In addition, a plurality of second illuminationsources 655 may be provided. The plurality of second illuminationsources 655 may be arranged along a rim portion or rim of the main bodyrear surface portion 611 b. For example, the plurality of secondillumination sources 655 may be arranged in a circular shape.

The reflector 620 may include a reflector main body 621 and a throughhole 623, which may be formed in the reflector main body 621 and allowlight irradiated from the first illumination source 651 to beconcentrated in the upward direction. The reflector main body 621 may bemade of an opaque material through which transmission of light may belimited, or an opaque material may be coated on the reflector main body621.

A reflector film 625 may be provided on or at an upper side of thereflector 620. The reflector film 625 may include a pattern displayportion display 626 at or on which a content of displayed information,that is, a predetermined character, number, or symbol, may be displayed.The light concentrated through the reflector 620 may act on the patterndisplay portion 626, thereby implementing predetermined information. Thepattern display portion 625 may be made of a transparent material. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 19, the pattern display portion 626 mayinclude characters conveying information to a user, such as “smell,”“dust,” “fine dust,” and “filter replacement,” a pattern 888 capable ofdisplaying numbers, and/or a symbol that represents a strength of ablowing amount, for example.

The first illumination source 651 may be disposed or provided at aposition corresponding to the pattern display portion 626. For example,the first illumination source 651 may be disposed or provided on or at alower side of the pattern display portion 626. As a plurality of patterndisplay portions 626 may be provided to implement various patterns, aplurality of first illumination sources 651 may be providedcorresponding to the plurality of pattern display portions 626. Lightirradiated from the first illumination source 651 may be exposed to theoutside by passing through the pattern display portion 626. In addition,various information may be displayed by on/off control of the pluralityof first illumination sources 651.

The display device 600 may include the diffusing plate 630, which maysurround an outside of the PCB assembly 601. The diffusing plate 630 maybe a component that forms the rim portion or rim 650 of the displayscreen 602 by diffusing light irradiated from the second illuminationsource 655.

The diffusing plate 630 may be disposed or provided along the rimportion of the depression portion 318. That is, the diffusing plate 630may include a plate main body 631, which may surround the display PCB610 and an illumination accommodating portion 635, which may protrudefrom an inner circumferential surface of the plate main body 631 toallow the second illumination source 655 to be accommodated therein. Theplate main body 631 may have a ring shape, and may be supported by thedischarge grill 315. In addition, the plate main body 631 and theillumination accommodating portion 635 may be integrally formed.

The plate main body 631 and the illumination accommodating portion 635may be made of a translucent material which is capable of refracting ordiffusing light. For example, the plate main body 631 and theillumination accommodating portion 635 may be made of an acrylicmaterial.

The plate main body 631 may form the rim portion 650 of the displayscreen 602. That is, an upper portion of the plate main body 631 may beexposed to the upper surface of the air cleaner 10, and light irradiatedfrom the second illumination source 655 may be diffused through theillumination accommodating portion 635 and the plate main body 631. Inaddition, the diffused light may move to the upper portion of the aircleaner 10, thereby forming the rim portion 650.

As the plate main body 631 and the illumination accommodating portion635 are made of a translucent material, the rim portion 650 may beimplemented using soft light. Thus, a display screen having acomfortable feeling may be implemented.

The display device 600 may further include a display cover 640, whichmay be provided on or at an upper side of the PCB assembly 601. Thedisplay cover 640 may be understood as a component that supports theoutside of the display PCB 610 and maintains a cover film 645 flat. Thedisplay cover 640 may be made of an opaque material to preventtransmission of light.

A cover hole 641, which may have a shape corresponding to the reflectorfilm 625, may be formed in the display cover 640. According to theconfiguration of the cover hole 641, although the display cover 640 iscoupled to the reflector 620, the reflector film 625 may be exposed inthe upward direction.

The cover film 645 may be provided on or at an upper side of the displaycover 640. For example, the cover film 645 may be attached to an uppersurface of the display cover 640. The cover film 645 may be made of atranslucent material to allow a portion of light transferred from thePCB assembly 601 to be transmitted therethrough. For example, thetranslucent material may include an acrylic or polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA) resin. The cover film 645 may be provided, so that informationdisplayed through the display device 600 may be prevented from beingextremely dazzling. The cover film 645 may include a film displayportion or display 646, which may allow a user to input a predeterminedcommand or display a portion of a plurality of operation information ofthe air cleaner 10.

FIGS. 22 to 24 are views illustrating a state in which air flows in theair cleaner of FIG. 1.

First, the flow of air according to driving of the first blowing device100 will be described. If the first fan 160 is driven, indoor air may besuctioned inside of the first case 101 through the first suction portion102 and the base suction portion 103. The suctioned air may pass throughthe first filter 120, and foreign materials in the air may be filteredin this process. In a process in which air passes through the firstfilter 120, the air may be suctioned in the radial direction of thefirst filter 120, filtered, and then flow in the upward direction.

The air having passed through the first filter 120 may flow to the upperside in the radial direction while passing through the first fan 160 andstably flow in the upward direction while passing through the first airguide 170 and the second air guide 180. Air passing through the firstair guide 170 and the second air guide 180 may pass by the firstdischarge guide 190 and flow in the upward direction through the firstdischarge portion 105. Air which is discharged through the firstdischarge portion 105 may be guided by the dividing plate 430 positionedat the upper side of the first discharge guide 190, and thus, may bedischarged outside of the air cleaner 10.

If the second fan 260 is driven, indoor air may be suctioned inside ofthe second case 201 through the second suction portion 202 and the basesuction portion 103. The suctioned air may pass through the secondfilter 220, and foreign materials in air may be filtered in thisprocess. In a process in which air passes through the second filter 220,the air may be suctioned in the radial direction of the second filter220, filtered, and then flow in the upward direction.

Air which passes through the second filter 220 may flow to the upperside in the radial direction while passing through the second fan 160,and stably flow in the upward direction while passing through the thirdair guide 270 and the second discharge guide 280. Air having passedthrough the third air guide 270 and the second discharge guide 280 maybe discharged through the second discharge portion 305 via the flowadjusting device 300.

The flow adjusting device 300 may be rotated provided in the verticaldirection by the second guide. For example, as shown in FIGS. 22 to 24,if the flow adjusting device 300 is located at or in the first position,air which is discharged from the flow adjusting device 300 may flow inthe upward direction. On the other hand, if the flow adjusting device300 is located at or in the second position, air which is dischargedfrom the flow adjusting device 300 may flow toward the front upper side.By the flow adjusting device 300, an air volume of air which isdischarged from the air cleaner 10 may be increased, and purified airmay be supplied to a position distant from the air cleaner 10.

That is, if the third fan 330 of the flow adjusting device 300 isdriven, at least a portion of air which is discharged from the seconddischarge guide 280 may be introduced to the inside of the third fanhousing 310. Then, the introduced air may pass through the third fan330, and may be discharged to the outside through the second dischargeportion 305.

The flow adjusting device 300 may be rotated in the lateral direction bythe first guide in the state in which the flow adjusting device 300 islocated at the second position. For example, as shown in FIGS. 14 and15, when the flow adjusting device 300 faces the front upper side, airwhich is discharged through the second discharge portion 305 may flowtoward the front upper side. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16,when the flow adjusting device 300 faces the rear upper side, air whichis discharged through the second discharge portion 305 may flow towardthe rear upper side.

According to this action, air which is discharged from the air cleaner10 does not simply flow in the upward direction, but rather, may flow inthe frontward direction, and thus, an air current toward a spacerelatively distant from the air cleaner 10 may be generated. As theseparate third fan 330 is provided in the flow adjusting device 300, ablowing force of the discharged air may be increased.

In addition, the flow adjusting device 300 is capable of performing thefirst direction rotation, and thus, air may be discharged to both sidesof the front of the air cleaner 10. Accordingly, an air current may beprovided toward a relatively wide room space.

The flow adjusting device 300 may be selectively operated based on anoperation mode of the air cleaner 10. When the air cleaner 10 isoperated in a general operation mode (first operation mode), the flowadjusting device 300 may be located at or in the first position in whichthe flow adjusting device 300 is laid out, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23.Then, the first and second blowing devices 100 and 200 may be driven,thereby forming a plurality of independent air currents.

That is, if the first blowing device 100 is driven, air may be suctionedthrough the first suction portion 102 and the base suction portion 103and then discharged through the first discharge portion 105 by passingthrough the first filter 120 and the first fan 160. In addition, if thesecond blowing device 200 is driven, air may be suctioned through thesecond suction portion 202 and pass through the third fan 330 via thesecond filter 220 and the second fan 260. The third fan 330 may bedriven to have a rotation number corresponding to a rotation number ofthe second fan 260, thereby guiding air flow. The air current may bedirected toward both sides of the front of the air cleaner while theflow adjusting device 300 is performing the first direction rotation inthe state in which the flow adjusting device 300 is located at the firstposition.

On the other hand, when the air cleaner 10 is operated in a flowconversion mode (second operation mode), the flow adjusting device 300may protrude from the upper end portion of the air cleaner 10 by beingrotated in the upward direction, as shown in FIG. 24. In the flowconversion mode, driving of the first and second blowing devices 100 and200 may be identical to driving of the first and second blowing devices100 and 200 in the general operation mode.

Then, the third fan 330 may be driven, and accordingly, at least aportion of air having passed through the second fan 260 and thedischarge flow path 282 a of the second discharge guide 280 may beintroduced to the third fan housing 310. In addition, at least a portionof the introduced air may be discharged toward the front upper side orthe rear upper side of the air cleaner 10 while passing through thethird fan 330.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, a suction capacity may beimproved as the suction portion is formed along an outer circumferentialsurface of a cylindrical case and a structural resistance of the casemay not be generated in an air suction process. In addition, dischargeof air in the upward direction may be guided through the second blowingdevice and discharge of air in the frontward direction may be guided bythe flow adjusting device, which may be provided on or at an upper sideof the second blowing device. Discharge of air in the lateral directionmay be guided, in a process of rotating of the flow adjusting device.Finally, an air cleaning function of an indoor space may be improved asdischarge of air in various directions may be guided relative to the aircleaner and a discharge air flow may be formed to extend a long distancefrom the air cleaner. A discharge air flow may be easily generatedtoward a circumferential space of a person in a room whether the personin the room sitting down or standing up.

In addition, as the flow adjusting device may include a first guidemechanism or guide which guides rotation in a lateral direction and asecond guide mechanism or guide which guides rotation in verticaldirection, the air flow control device may control a discharge aircurrent while being rotated in the lateral direction by operation of thefirst guide mechanism in a state in which the air flow control device islocated at a first position at which the air flow control device is laidout by the operation of the second guide mechanism or a second positionat which the air flow control device is erected or at an inclined by theoperation of the second guide mechanism. In addition, as a third fan maybe provided in the air flow control device, air may be discharged byadding a flow force generated by the third fan to air which flowsthrough the second blowing device. Thus, a strong discharge air currentis capable of being generated, so that an air current may reach aposition distant from the air cleaner.

As each of the first guide mechanism and the second guide mechanismincludes a gear motor and a gear, rotation in the vertical direction orthe lateral direction of the air flow control device may be easilyperformed. Further, a display device or device may be provided at anupper portion of the air flow control device, so that operationinformation of the air cleaner may be easily recognized at the outside.In particular, the display device may be exposed to the outside not onlywhen the air flow control device is in an inclinedly erected state(second position) relative to an axial direction, but also when the airflow control device is in a laid out state (first position) relative tothe axial direction, so that operation information of the air cleanermay be easily identified.

The air flow control device may include a discharge grill, and adepression portion provided at a center portion of the discharge grill.Thus, the display device may be installed, and a discharge portionthrough which air may be discharged may be formed along a circumferenceof the depression portion. Accordingly, it is possible to improve aspatial utilization of the air cleaner. Further, it is possible toprevent flow of air discharged through the discharge portion frominterfering by the display device.

The display device may include a PCB assembly, that is, a display PCBhaving a first illumination source and a reflector which may be coupledto the display PCB, so that it is possible to easily implement variouscharacters, numbers, or symbols relative to the operation of the aircleaner. A second illumination source may be provided on a lower surfaceof the display PCB, and a diffusing plate having an illuminationaccommodating portion which accommodates the illumination source thereinmay be provided on a lower side of the display PCB, so that lightirradiated from the illumination source may be refracted through thediffusing plate to be easily moved to a rim portion of a front surfaceof the display device. Finally, it is possible to obtain an effect thatinformation displayed through the display device may be visuallyemphasized. Accordingly, a user may easily identify information even ina slightly distant distance.

Further, a blowing capacity of the air cleaner may be improved as aplurality of blowing devices may be provided. The air which flows in theradial direction through a centrifugal fan may be easily guided towardthe discharge portion in the upward direction, as the centrifugal fanfor increasing the blowing capacity of the air cleaner and the air guidedevice or guide which may be disposed or provided on or at an outletside of the centrifugal fan may be provided.

Phenomena that interference between the air flows may be prevented asthe air flows which are independent from each other may be generatedthrough the first blowing device and the second blowing device.Accordingly, the air flowing capacity may be improved.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air cleaner which is capableimproving a suction capacity of air which is suctioned to the aircleaner. Embodiments disclosed herein further provide an air cleanerwhich is capable of sufficiently suctioning air around a person in aroom whether the person in the room sitting down or standing up byincluding a suction flow path which is directed from a circumferentialdirection of the air cleaner to an inside portion thereof and a suctionflow path through which air is introduced through an upper portion and alower portion of the air cleaner.

Embodiments disclosed herein also provide an air cleaner which iscapable of discharging air which is discharged from the air cleaner invarious directions and sending the discharged air a long distance. Inparticular, embodiment disclosed herein provide an air cleaner which iscapable of easily discharging air toward a surrounding space of a personin a room whether the person in the room sitting down or standing up bya discharge air flow being easily generated in an upward direction, afrontward direction, and lateral direction of the air cleaner.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air cleaner which includes adisplay device or display capable of easily displaying operationinformation of the air cleaner to the outside. Embodiments disclosedherein also provide an air cleaner in which the display device may beprovided in a rotatable air flow control device, so that a user mayeasily identify operation information of the air cleaner regardless of aposition to which the air flow control device is rotated.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air cleaner a blowing capacityof which may be increased. Embodiments disclosed herein further providean air cleaner in which an air guide device or guide is provide whichallows air passing through a centrifugal fan to easily flow toward adischarge portion in an upward direction in a case of adopting thecentrifugal fan in order to increase a blowing capacity. Embodimentsdisclosed herein also provide an air cleaner which improves purificationcapacity of a filter and in which replacement of the filter is easilyperformed.

Embodiments disclosed herein additionally provide an air cleaner inwhich a filter may be easily installed or provided without aninstallation space for installing the filter in an inside portion of theair cleaner being additionally provided.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air cleaner that may include anair cleaning module that includes a main fan to generate an air flow anda filter member or filter to purify air; and an air flow control deviceor controller movably provided in or at one side of the air cleaningmodule. The air flow control device may include a sub-fan to control adirection of air flow passing through the air cleaning module. When theair flow control device is in a first location, in a case in which thesub-fan is driven, air may be discharged in an upward direction from theair flow control device. When the air flow control device is in a secondlocation, in a case in which the sub-fan is driven, air may bedischarged in a front upward direction from the air flow control device.

The air flow control device may include a guide device or guide to guidea first directional rotation or a second directional rotation of the airflow control device. The first directional rotation may be a rotation ofa clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction, with respect toan axial direction. The second directional rotation may be a rotation ofupper or lower direction.

The guide device may include a first guide device to guide the firstdirectional rotation. The air cleaner may further include a third airguide device disposed in an outlet side of the main fan and having afirst air flow path. The third air guide device may include an outerwall configured to form an outer circumference surface of the third airguide device, and an inner wall configured disposed in an inner side ofthe outer wall, the inner wall being configured to form an innercircumference surface of the third air guide device. The first air flowpath may be formed between an inner circumference surface of the outerwall and an outer circumference surface of the inner wall.

The first guide device may include a first gear motor which is able torotate in both directions, and a first gear configured to be connectedto the first gear motor to rotate and to have a first gear shaft. Thethird air guide device may include a first rack which is interlockedwith the first gear and extends in a rounded shape in a circumferentialdirection.

The first guide device may further include a rotating shaft which formsa center of the first direction rotation of the air flow control device.The first gear may rotate with a radius of rotation set around therotating shaft.

The air cleaning may further include a second discharge guide device orguide disposed or provided in the outlet side of the third air guidedevice, the second discharge guide device being configured to form adischarging flow path through which the air passing through the firstair flow path may flow.

The second discharge guide device may include a discharge outer wallconfigured to form an outer circumference surface of the seconddischarge guide device, and a discharge inner wall disposed or providedin or at an inner side of the discharge outer wall, the discharginginner wall being configured to form an inner circumference surface ofthe second discharge guide device. The discharge flow path may be formedbetween the inner circumference surface of the discharge outer wall andthe outer circumference surface of the discharge inner wall.

The first guide device may include a bearing to guide a first directionrotation of the air flow control device. The bearing may include a firstbearing which moves along a bearing groove of the second dischargingguide device, and a second be discharging guide bearing which movesalong an inner circumferential surface of the second discharging guidedevice. The guide device may include a second guide device or guide toguide the second direction rotation.

The second guide device may include a second gear motor which isrotatable in both directions, and a second gear which is connected tothe second gear motor to rotate. The second guide device may include arotation guide member configured to be rotatable in upward and downwarddirections, and a fixed guide member including having a first guidesurface to support a lower side of the rotation guide member.

The fixed guide member may further include a first guide bearingcontacted with the rotation guide member to reduce a friction occurredwhen the rotation guide member rotates. The fixed guide member furthermay include a second gear insertion part to which the second gearinserts. The second gear may extend upward from the first guide surface,passing through the second gear insertion part.

The first location may be where a top of the air flow control device isdisposed vertically with respect to an axial direction. The secondlocation may be where the top of the air flow control device is disposedwith a slope or incline with respect to the axial direction.

The air flow control device may include a display device or display todisplay operation information.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances ofsuch phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection withany embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of oneskilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. An air cleaner, comprising: a centrifugal fan; anair flow controller disposed at an upper side of the centrifugal fan,the air flow controller being configured to adjust a direction of airthat passes through the centrifugal fan, the air flow controllerincluding: an introduction grill into which air passing through thecentrifugal fan is introduced; a fan housing provided above theintroduction grill; a circulation fan provided within a space defined bythe introduction grill and the fan housing; and a discharge portionprovided at an upper portion of the fan housing; an air guide betweenthe centrifugal fan and the air flow controller, the air guide beingconfigured to allow the air passing through the centrifugal fan to flowto the air flow controller, the air guide including: a cylindrical outerwall forming an outer circumferential surface of the air guide; acylindrical inner wall positioned at an inside of the outer wall andforming an inner circumferential surface of the air guide; air flow pathdefined between an inner circumferential surface of the outer wall andan outer circumferential surface of the inner wall; and at least oneguide rib disposed in the air flow path, the guide rib being configuredto extend longitudinally and allow the air discharged in a radialdirection through the centrifugal fan to flow upward, wherein the airguide further includes a rack that communicates with a gear of the airflow controller, the rack being provided at the inner wall, and whereinwhen the rack communicates with the gear, the air flow controllerrotates in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction, withrespect to an axial direction of the air flow controller.
 2. The aircleaner according to claim 1, wherein the at least one guide rib extendsfrom the outer circumferential surface of the inner wall to the innercircumferential surface of the outer wall with respect to a center ofthe air guide.
 3. The air cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the airguide further includes: a motor accommodating portion provided at theinner wall, the motor accommodation portion being configured toaccommodate a fan motor of the centrifugal fan, and wherein the motoraccommodating portion has a bowl shape to define a space in which thefan motor is provided.
 4. The air cleaner according to claim 1, whereinthe air guide further includes: a shaft guide groove into which a gearshaft of the gear is inserted, the shaft guide groove having an arcshape.
 5. The air cleaner according to claim 1, further including: adischarge guide provided at a lower side of the air flow controller, thedischarge guide having a discharge flow path to allow air passingthrough the airflow path to flow into the air flow controller.
 6. Theair cleaner according to claim 5, wherein the discharge guide includes:a discharge inner wall including an inner circumferential surface havinga cylindrical shape; and a discharge outer wall that surrounds thedischarge inner wall, and wherein the discharge flow path is definedbetween an inner circumferential surface of the discharge outer wall andan outer circumferential surface of the discharge inner wall.
 7. The aircleaner according to claim 6, wherein the discharge guide furtherincludes a rotation guide plate coupled to the discharge inner wall andhaving a shaft receiving portion, and wherein the air flow controllerincludes a rotational shaft inserted into the shaft receiving portion,to provide a rotational center in the clockwise direction or thecounterclockwise direction, with respect to the axial direction of theair flow controller.
 8. The air cleaner according to claim 1, whereinthe air guide is fixed and the air flow controller is movable.
 9. Theair cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the at least one guide ribincludes a plurality of guide ribs arranged in a circumferentialdirection with respect to a center of the air guide.
 10. The air cleaneraccording to claim 5, wherein the discharge guide is provided betweenthe air guide and the air flow controller.
 11. The air cleaner accordingto claim 3, wherein the rack is disposed on the motor accommodatingportion.